<p>What you do not seem to understand is that deepwater oil exploration and production is fundamentally safe when practiced with care and caution.</p><p>British Petroleum did not act with proper stewardship during its operation and supervision of the Deepwater Horizon.</p><p>That company ignored the painfully visible blood red flags that foretold the thick black sheen that now besets us.</p><p>This was not an accident. This was the culmination of purposeful ignorance by British Petroleum in the name of expedience and profit.</p><p>I beg you, Mr. President. You must not cripple an entire industry for the sins of one company.</p><p>You say that your administration has its collective “boot on the neck” of BP. Yet it is the culture, economy and sanity of south Louisiana that is left gasping for air.</p><p>Maxwell Smitko</p><p>Houma</p>